Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Recognizing September as Recovery Month in New York State 

New York State to Observe Recovery Month by Illuminating State Landmarks Purple on September 30th

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) today announced the award of more than $13 million to recovery centers across the state. Recovery centers are non-clinical settings that offer recovery supports such as skill-building, recreation, education, employment readiness and training, and the opportunity to connect to peers who are facing similar challenges. They also provide services to families of those in recovery. This funding, through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund, enhances an ongoing initiative first started in 2023.  All recovery centers in the state are receiving funding through this new investment.

In addition, Governor Hochul has issued a proclamation designating September as Recovery Month in New York State, recognizing the many New Yorkers living in recovery, and the efforts that the state has made to support those affected by addiction.

“We are continuing to lead the way in getting opioid settlement money out to the organizations and communities that need it most, and this funding further supports an ongoing initiative that we have been working on for several years,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “By expanding recovery supports around the state, we are giving people more opportunities to access this vital help and support. And as we mark recovery month, it is an additional reminder of the importance of recovery, the services available, and an opportunity to recognize those who live successful lives in recovery every day.” 

This funding allows all recovery centers to raise their annual budgets to $535,000 through September of 2028. Since this initiative was first established, more than $31 million in settlement funding has now been awarded through this program. A list of these recovery centers in New York State can be found here.

To mark the observance of National Recovery Month, New York State will be illuminating the state landmarks below with purple lighting on September 30^th, which is International Day of Recovery.

1. 1WTC
2. Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
3. Kosciuszko Bridge
4. The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
5. State Education Building
6. Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
7. Empire State Plaza
8. State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
9. Niagara Falls
10. The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
11. Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
12. Albany International Airport Gateway
13. MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
14. Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal  
15. Moynihan Train Hall
16. Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

To date, New York has made more than $449 million available through the Opioid Settlement Fund, which is the most of any state in the country. A detailed list of initiatives funded with this money is available on the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund tracker.

New York State is receiving more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that were secured by Attorney General Letitia James. A portion of the funding from these settlements will go directly to municipalities, with the remainder deposited into a dedicated fund to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found on the NYS OASAS website.